Robin's World, Live, Love and Laugh!

I Just Wanted to Call...

2010-10-04T20:41:00.000-06:00

As I sit here trying to find the words that I want and need to say, I see how totally surreal the past eleven days have been for me. The last words he said to me were, "I just had to call and tell you, Aunt Robin, I'm starting to work on Monday at Willow Lake Mine! I needed to share this with you because I knew you would understand how much I have wanted this. I have to go now because I have another call coming in, I love you and I will call you tomorrow."

There was and will be no tomorrow's for him. He died before 3:30 a.m. that next morning.

I have to take comfort in knowing he is in a far better place. His demons died with him.

Even though I saw him there in that tiny ER cubicle, even though in my pained heart I know he is gone,
my mind keeps playing tricks on me. I still expect my phone to ring and to hear his voice saying, "Aunt Robin I just wanted to call and tell you how much you mean to me..."

Trail of Tears sign to be unveiled in Pope County - Southern Illinoisan

2010-09-17T12:23:00.000-06:00

GOLCONDA - A new sign will be unveiled at 1 p.m. Wednesday (9/22) in Pope County (IL) to identify the original historic roads of the Trail of Tears and allow the public to follow the actual route.
The sign unveiling ceremony will take place at the intersection of Illinois 146 and Homberg Road, about three miles west of Golconda. Community members, including students, are invited to the ceremony.
A number of local, state and federal officials will attend the ceremony, along with Cherokee Nation Principle Chief Chad Smith and Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Justice Troy Poteete, Also attending will be Jack Baker of Oklahoma City, Cherokee Nation councilman and president of the Trail of Tears Association National Board of Directors.
This official Trail of Tears National Historic Trail sign unveiling ceremony will recognize the first and longest signed original historic trail segment on the Trail of Tears. Although many of the original roads of the Trail of Tears have disappeared, there are many places like the historic road in Pope County that have survived.
"Marking this 8 1/2 mile stretch of original route of the Trail of Tears gives the American public an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the Cherokee, who traveled this stretch of road during their tragic removal in the 1830's, and helps all Americans to confront and understand a period of our history that many of us perhaps have tried to forget," said Aaron Mahr, superintendent of the National Park Service Trails Office, which administers to the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.
For more information, email Sandy Boaz, president of the Illinois Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association, at skboaz@yahoo.com.

This article was taken from the Southern Illinoisan, Friday, September 17, 2010

2010 What a Year (So Far)

2010-07-20T12:08:00.000-06:00

I thought it might be time for a new post, since I haven't done so in nine months!

Where to begin? 2010 has been quite the year so far, with oil spills, floods, excessive heat and so many other happenings in this country and around the world. Some days I just want to turn the television and the radio off and retreat to the woods. Sounds like a wonderful idea, except for the ticks who like to leave me with a bulls-eye rash and 21 days of antibiotics.

We did have a beautiful Spring in Southern Illinois, wish it could have lasted a bit longer. I did manage to get my two year old gelding going really well under saddle. I actually rode him in his first parade on the 4th of July. One never knows how a young horse will deal with all the noise and movement. I am pleased to say "A.J." did great! Soon it will be time to take him on our annual "Nine Day Encampment" and following that, the annual Sikeston Ride. Once these events are over it will be time for me to make the difficult decision to either keep or sell this beautiful boy.

Another happening for our household this year was the addition of a new dog. This has been quite the experience! I decided I wanted to adopt/rescue a Boxer, I have always liked Boxers but I didn't really want to start with a puppy. My daughter and I drove to Evansville, IN to see some shelter dogs found on "Pet Finder", supposedly Boxers. When we arrived at the first shelter we discovered the youngster I drove there to see was more Pit Bull than Boxer. Now I personally have nothing against the breed but my husband will not have one anywhere near him or our property. Sadly, we drove to the next shelter where there was a Boxer mix, probably some Pit here also. This second one was a BIG dog! I actually filled out paper work on this one but they turned me down because I don't have any of my 20 country acres fenced for a dog. So we drove home without a Boxer, my daughter was not happy. Mind you, she is grown, married and lives in another town but she wanted (me) to bring a dog home that day. I told her it was just not supposed to happen yet and that when the right dog came along, everything would fall into place.

After this experience I thought I might just forget about the whole idea of getting a new dog. We had lost one of our dogs to old age a few weeks earlier but we still had Spot. Both the older dog and Spot were outdoor dogs, only outdoor. I had no desire to have another indoor dog, especially a large one. I have never had an indoor dog bigger than 10 pounds. Addie and I talked about my looking for a Boxer and he said we really didn't need another dog, Spot was enough. Then our daughter sent a text message saying her husband had found a full blooded Boxer in the shelter at Franklin County! I wasn't sure what to do! In the end (long story, short) I picked up my son-in-law and drove to Franklin County Humane Shelter where I met Bobby, a 2 to 3 year old, full Boxer boy. Bobby was a beautiful, fawn and white, docked tail with un-cropped ears, neutered male who weighs in at 71 pounds.

When Bobby first came to live with us, he was to be an outside dog. Did I forget to mention that before he came here he was an inside dog? Did I also fail to mention he's terrified of thunder?!!!
Again, the short version here is, Bobby lives in our house and surprisingly enough, WE have adjusted. The big boy is very, very well housebroken and very aware of his size in the house. When outdoors, if it's not thundering, he loves to run and play with Spot. We have had a couple of problems along the way and at first he was very depressed, looking for his former family. Now, after almost three months with us, he is at home.

Shelter dogs rule!!!

Where Did It Go?

2009-10-06T09:03:00.001-06:00

Well, my friends, I think summer is over. I'm not exactly sure how this happened so quickly, it's just gone! Don't misunderstand, I LOVE this time of year. The problem is the prophecy of my parents and grandparents has come true! Time now passes way to quickly. The days are way to short. Time flies, seasons come and are GONE and I'm left asking, "WHERE DID IT GO?". And with the time that has passed too fast, there are changes that have occurred. Family members age, and some have past away. Friends divorce or separate, move away or move back home. Children and grandchildren grow and change, too quickly! Beloved animals begin to "show their age", and so do we. I'm starting to dislike my mirror a great deal. The face I see in my mind and the one looking back at me from the mirror just don't jive! That person in the mirror has way too many wrinkles and bags beneath the eyes...who is that anyway?

On the other hand, I am much more comfortable in my skin than I was when I was younger. I may not appreciate the aging process but it certainly beats the alternative. I have learned to weed out the things in my life that not longer help me be me. Sometimes this can be a painful thing to do but one that we all face from time to time. Old clothes that no longer fit, due to redistribution of body parts. Old furniture, old ideas and some old habits must be sorted and discarded. Painful! All these "chores" are things we didn't have to face when we were young. I suppose they can be viewed as achieving another level. My question here is, just how many levels are there, anyway? Oh, wait! Maybe I shouldn't ask that question, maybe I should just relax and enjoy the ride.

Here is my inspiration:

Jake the mule is about 23 years old. Chester, the Man is soon to be 92 years young!

ENJOY THE RIDE!

I am in awe!!!

2009-09-16T18:52:00.000-06:00

Can you believe this weather? Autumn is my favorite time of year and this year it seems to be arriving early. This is fine by me! The air is off and the fresh air is flowing in. I suspect the fall colors will be magnificent and the best part of it all, even the warmest days are pleasant. As far as I'm concerned it could stay like this year round!

Soon my mother and I will be traveling to the Smokey Mountains for a little vacation. She and I have never attempted this venture before, should be interesting. I'm praying she can stay healthy and enjoy this trip. Since my father passed in 2001 my Mom has wanted us to take a trip together but till now it has just never panned out. This may be a once in a lifetime adventure or could become an annual event. Time will tell. I'm not sure how I feel about going on vacation without Addie, it will be very strange. Actually I'm hoping to talk him into going along but I haven't won that argument just yet.

My Mother left the destination of our vacation up to me. She should have known that if I were choosing it would have to be the E. TN/NC area as this is where my heart is. For some reason, and I'm pretty sure I understand why but won't go into it now, when I first see those mountains come into view it feels as though I am returning home after a long absence. Those of you who know me well, understand.
It has indeed been some time since my last visit to this area. Believe it or not, Addie and I were on vacation in this area the week of 9/11/01. I have not had the opportunity to return since.

Next year several of my Cherokee sister-friends and I plan to backtrack the Trail of Tears, at least the IL/Ky/TN/NC part of the trail. Looking forward to that adventure and the time spent with the other women. Ah! Life is grand!

Hay in the Field

2009-07-10T14:40:00.002-06:00

Things are running a bit behind in Southern Illinois this year. I know I am!
Usually we take our horses to the Vet in May for their Coggins tests and shots but this year we didn't get it taken care of until this week. Hopefully we will get the Coggins results back in time for the 9 Day Encampment, formerly known as the 9 Day Trail Ride.
Here it is the second week of July and as we drove through the country on Wednesday my friend Chester remarked as to all the farmers still in the field cutting and raking hay. Normally by this time many would be almost ready for the second cutting of hay and they are just now working on the first. I suppose the good news is, there will be plenty of hay this year. A couple of years back many folks had difficulty finding hay for their livestock and when they did find it they had to pay a premium for it!
So this year there will be enough hay to go around even if it is late coming out of the field. Our horses have been tested, even if we were late getting them to the Vet to get the blood drawn. The 9 Day will go on one more year even if the name has been changed.

And so it goes.

I'm moving slower, it takes me oh so much longer to get things done, or even to get moving in the right direction. However, I have discovered that I am not alone! What is going on? The funny thing is, even though it seems I just don't get as much done as I think I should, I really don't care. I'll do what I must to take care of those who depend on me for whatever they depend on me for, but then, I'm done. And like all those big round bales of hay out there in the fields, I'll just be hangin' out, waiting for my turn to be moved to the next spot. I don't stress too much any more. What's the point in getting all stressed out anyway?
In the end, we're all just Hay in the Field!

Time Flies...

2009-06-02T10:08:00.002-06:00

Oh My Goodness! It has been way too long since my last BLOG post! Not that I haven't considered posting a few times.
I think about it, but then life gets in the way. You know, work, no work, husbands work, husbands lack of work, INLAND HURRICANES. Just little things that life throws at us.

I prefer to post when I can be positive. I like positive. I realize that in the real world everyday can't be POSITIVE. Boy, do I realize that! If ever I doubted that, the events of May 8, 2008 along with the days leading up to that day and the weeks following that day have certainly reminded me. Inland hurricane? Who ever heard of such a thing?

First of all, in an effort to remain positive, I will say that my family, all of us, were very fortunate. None of us sustained any major structural damage to our homes. My husband and I live in a heavily wooded area and we do have many, many downed trees. We did also receive some roof damage to one of our pole barns due to a downed tree. We had no hail damage to the roof of our house and nothing fell on the house. The horse barn shows no signs of damage however one section of my fence will have to be rebuilt, again due to limbs and trees falling across it. The chicken pen is no more and we have given away our chickens, no more fresh eggs. We have loose siding on the west end of the house and the south side of the garage. Other than that and the fact that our once beautiful woods now looks like a war zone, we were really lucky.

Driving through my hometown post storm was a horrible experience. Unlike the tornado that ripped through Marion in 1982, claiming the lives of ten people, this storm was extremely wide spread. The tornado had a relatively narrow path, which at the time did not appear to be "narrow" at all. The twister however really only directly affected a few blocks. The storm that hit us on May 8th had no path or preference. While certain areas did seem to be harder hit, the damage was very wide spread. Many folks lost their homes and businesses. The loss of life was much less than the tornado of 1982, yet any loss of life is too much. No one in my hometown perished in the storm, however the nearby town of Murphysboro lost one of it's citizens.
Still, for several days I could not drive through Marion without crying. Seeing this type of change is difficult to accept, I suppose partially because it is so out of our control.

Life is trying to return to normal and soon I'm sure it will. It will be easier for some than others I'm sure. Looking out my kitchen window and seeing the huge uprooted tree as a constant reminder will be with me for some time to come. The barn roof will soon be repaired as will the fence and the siding. I'll get to bring my horses home but the chickens will not be returning. Isn't that how life is? Some things must change in order to go on, life is forever changing. Don't get to comfortable in your little niche, things can change at the drop of a hat or the puff of the wind.

Every time I think about those first few minutes following the storm, the goose bumps I felt when I looked around and saw
everything still standing (minus several trees)! WOW! Even my tipi withstood the wind. I use the word "luck" but I have to say it was not "luck", I don't really believe in luck. I believe in GOD. HE was watching over us once again!

So with that I say

THANK YOU TO MY CREATOR!

I Love Springtime!

2009-03-26T07:49:00.004-06:00

Aaahhhhhhh!

Yes, that's me, breathing in that fresh spring air. And I do believe the sun is shining!
The wisteria is about to pop, as are so many other beautiful, bright, blooming spring beauties.

Aaahhhhhhh!

Need I say more?

Is It SPRING YET???

2009-02-02T14:19:00.004-06:00

Need I say more?

A Day in the Life...

2009-01-29T19:57:00.004-06:00

I think today is Thursday. Yes, I'm pretty sure that's correct.
Today is, or was, Thursday, January 29, 2009. Twenty-nine
days into the new year and already so much has happened.

I live in the country, part of a small town community. There are many small towns in and around the area in which I live. When you live in small town USA you tend to know your neighbor, or at least you used to. It's a little different now than when I was a child. As a child, with my mother working at the local "drug store" and my father working across the street in the machine shop of the local automotive parts store, I felt like we knew everyone in our little town. After all most folks either came into the "drug store" for a sundae and some pinball or took their vehicle to my dad for repair, or both. By the time I was in Junior High School my mother moved "uptown" to a dress shop on the town "square" while my father continued to work as the shop foreman for the same company he'd been with since he was about fifteen. All the girls knew my mom because of where she worked and all the boys knew my dad because of his job. Needless to say my parents always knew everything I was doing, sometimes even before I knew it myself. If that wasn't enough my older brother, older by almost nine years, believed it was his duty to watch over me like a hawk and threaten any boy, who might look my way, within an inch of his life.

Growing up we lived next door to my paternal grandparents. Before I started kindergarden my grandmother kept me every day while my parents worked. I grew up thinking we had everything! After all we lived on a (small) farm with my grandparents next door and all the neighbors were friends. My grandparents had chickens and hogs and a few cows so we always had meat and eggs. My grandfather and I raised rabbits and occasionally he would manage to sneak a few of them off to the butcher. My dad and my grandfather grew corn and soy beans and there was a garden every summer with lots of goodies to eat, can and freeze. My grandfather liked to teach me about milking cows, churning butter, planting the garden and how to eat watermelon right off the vine. My grandmother taught me about chickens and a little bit about sewing and canning. I say a "little bit" because it was difficult to teach me anything that required my staying in the house to do "girly" things. I was a tom boy and proud of it! I wanted to help with the hogs and cows and follow my grandfather everywhere he went. Thank goodness he was a patient man! He was a very brave man too, so brave he was the one who taught me how to drive. But with all this, the love, the understanding, caring and lessons, there was one thing I always wanted but could not have. A horse.

I loved horses from the time I first knew what they were. A friend of the family who was a few years older than I, always had horses and I loved spending time with her. She taught me how to ride and this scared my grandmother to death. My grandmother hated horses and was quite sure I would be killed riding one. As the years went by I would choose friends according to what animals they had in their barn. I looked for people with horses, big horses, fat horses, ponies, it really didn't matter so long as they had four legs, a tail and smelled like a horse! When I was a senior in high school my dad and my grandfather bought me a brand new car for graduation. My mother was still driving a car that was six years old and didn't like that I got a new one. When my mother made a comment to me about my new car and how she would have liked to have one before I got one, I told her I would have rather had a horse! She still likes to remind me of that comment today. It was true however, a horse was all I ever wanted.

After I married and had the children I still wanted a horse. We lived in town for the first three years we were married then built a house on a little piece of land my grandparents gave us. Not too long after we moved in I talked my husband into letting me buy a horse, my first horse. We didn't have a pasture but our house sat at the back of my grandfathers five acres and next to my parents five acres, both of which were fenced and ready to pasture. I was so thrilled! My grandmother was so angry! But I was a grown woman with two small children a husband and a house and horse of my own.

I seldom had anyone to ride with. My husband would help me feed or care for the horses if needed but did not want to ride. My mother has always had back problems and just couldn't be comfortable in the saddle. My dad would ride with me when he could find the time, which wasn't too often with a full time job, farming and keeping up with the yard. So I rode most of the time alone. I would hear of rides taking place but never had the opportunity to participate. Riding was something I loved to do as well as just taking care of the animals so I was happy to just have horses.

Time passed and my girls were getting older and more involved in many activities. My time was spent driving to and from school, gymnastics, baton lessons and ball games. Before long I had little time to ride or spend with my horses. Eventually they were all sold and I was out of the horse business, I assumed forever. I would become so sad in the springtime when I would see foals running around in a pasture or someone out for a ride. Parades were tough too as I had always wanted to ride in a parade and had never had the chance. Another phase of my life had come and gone, or so I thought.

In 1995 our eldest married a young man from a neighboring community. The young man and his family had a horse, one that needed riding. When my son-in-law's family asked me if I would like to ride the beautiful sorrel gelding, I jumped at the chance! Oh how wonderful to sit on a horse once more. How terrific it was to smell the leather of the saddle, the hay in the barn and the smell of the horse, how I'd missed the smell of a horse! Again I rode alone but with no complaint as I was so happy to be able to ride again. The family had several acres and there were miles of country roads to be traveled. I would ride several times a week and go to the barn every evening to feed and care for my new friend. I was in love with a horse once again!

Now, again I repeat that living in a small community has many advantages. I soon learned one of the advantages is knowing a neighbor with horses, who loves to ride those horses and currently does not have a riding buddy. My son-in-law's family suggested I stop by their neighbors house and get to know him. They told me he was a wonderful older man who enjoyed horses and riding as much I and could probably use someone to ride with. They said his name is Chester and he is very nice. They were so right about all they said and the rest is history.

Chester and I began riding around the neighborhood, then on trail rides. One day he ask me if I would be interested in riding in the Creal Springs Parade and of course I was interested. Finally I had the chance to ride in a parade! We rode in parades, on trail rides, and anywhere and everywhere we could. After a couple of years I went to the Nine Day Trail Ride in Pope county, IL. I also began riding on the Sikeston Ride, a ride that takes place annually from Williamson County, IL to Sikeston, MO for the Sikeston JC Bootheel Rodeo. At last I had someone to ride horses with and I had a friend who loved horses as much I.

Chester and I got to know one another quite well through the many talks we had while riding. I learned about his son who had died at the age of 22, about his four sisters and their families, his wife's family and his very special friend Estes,who was like a son. I heard about the many horses he'd had throughout the years and how/why he changed from riding Quarter horses to gaited horses. Due to E.P.M., an illness that originates in opossums and ends up in horses, with the horse being the "dead end host" I could no longer ride Dakota the sorrel quarter horse. Chester offered to let me ride one of his mares, Tinker Bell. "Tinker" was a little black mare with a gait like a Fox Trotter, very smooth and easy to ride. Tinker carried me for many a mile on the many rides Chester and I took. He and I rode almost every weekend, sometimes both Saturday and Sunday and a day or two during the work week. I soon decided I liked riding gaited horses, a lot! In 1998 another of Chester's mares had a beautiful little red sorrel and white spotted filly and I fell in love. Two years later we broke and trained the filly and I purchased my first gaited horse. Tawodi's Fancy Dancer was the official name I gave my new horse, Fancy is what we all call her.

In many ways Chester had become like a second father, that is until my father passed away in 2001. I soon realized just how much time I spent with Chester and how much I depended on his advice and calm way of dealing with life. I learned so much from this man and had been able to spend time with him, riding horses, taking care of them, etc., doing the things I would have loved to do with my dad. When Chester's wife passed in 2000, he was so crushed, so heartbroken. I was afraid he would not recover from his loss, afraid he would give up. With time he improved and realized he needed to go on, that life continued and he needed to do likewise. In 2006, I believe it was, Chester had to have a "minor" surgery. Minor for a younger man perhaps but a little tougher on someone 89 years young. Again we all were afraid he might give up doing the things he enjoyed, his cattle and horses and especially riding. He continued to say that maybe it was time he quit (riding). Finally I ask him what he was going to do if he did give up his horses and riding? His reply, with a grin, was "well, I guess I'll just sit in my chair and die". We resumed riding the next week.

(This post was started on Thursday evening and completed Friday morning)

One week ago today the weather was beautiful, warm and sunny. This was the second such day and with weather like that in January, everyone was outdoors finding something to do. Chester and Estes were trimming trees on some of Chester's property, an old home place where some huge old maple trees still stood. I won't give the painful details of the days events but suffice it to say it ended badly. Trees are unpredictable at best and deadly at worst. The man who was like a son, in every sense, was dead and Chester witnessed it all.

The community out pouring has been amazing, small community with a huge heart. So many broken hearts, so many tears. One 91 year old man who feels lost, who can't help but think he is responsible for this tragedy. So many of us have prayed with him and for him. We tell him he must put this tragedy and his grief in God's hands. Still he has no desire to eat and the tears still flow frequently. Still the whole scene continues to replay in his mind constantly.

What can you say in a time like this? There have been so many words of wisdom spoken in the past week, so many folks trying to comfort. When we speak these words does he really hear? Can his bruised heart and mind really process any of what is spoken? I pray he hears and can feel the love the community holds for him. Most of all I pray he hears God's words and remembers how large His hands are.

History in the Making

2009-01-20T10:35:00.002-06:00

January 20, 2009, a new day! I am almost speechless as I watch the day's events play out on my television.

Yesterday I tried to explain to my eleven year old granddaughter the enormity of what would take place on this day. I explained to her that when I was a little girl, black children, or even children with any "visible" black blood, were not allowed to attend the same school as I and all my little "white" friends. I told her about the first time I actually came in contact with a child with black skin, and I remember it well. As an eight year old I was amazed to learn there was a whole SEPARATE school for children of color.
I ask the little girl why she had to go to a different school? I just couldn't understand, and actually still don't understand the mindset of people who would do such things as that, separating children according to the color of their skin! But that is the way it was.

My granddaughter was amazed to hear what the world was like in the 1960's. I didn't go into all the violence that occurred throughout the country, I'll save that for another day. For her, just hearing about segregation in the schools and everyday life was difficult to grasp. What a different place the world is today. I always tried to teach my own children not to see the color of a person's skin, see their hearts instead. See that all our hearts are the same color, our blood is the same color and we are all the children of the same God. I'm not always certain my own children really feel this philosophy, but I pray my grandchildren will. I pray their generation will truly understand it's what is on the inside that counts and the skin is simply the packaging.

So today, as I sit here in front of my television, with uncontrollable tears rolling down my face, I pray this is a new beginning.
I pray this new presidency will lead us forward is a good way, with good hearts and new understanding of all our brothers and sisters no matter the color of the packaging. I pray all hearts are lifted and we can all come together, work together to make this country a better place for all.

God Bless Barack Obama and his beautiful family!

Can You Believe the Beautiful Autumn We've Had?

2008-11-07T21:09:00.005-06:00

Beautiful! This is the only word that even comes close.

So many photos, so little space!

Just one more...

Photographs from top to bottom:

(1) Chester (riding buddy) on Princess at Giant City State Park, October 31, 2008

(2) Little Grassy Lake from the Giant City side (boat ramp) - view 1

(3) Little Grassy Lake from the Giant City side (boat ramp) - view 2

A Cherokee Burial

2008-10-15T18:26:00.008-06:00

Once again I am in search of information concerning a Cherokee burial in Southern Illinois. This time I found a marker a little closer to home, near Dykersburg, IL. The name of the cemetery is the Neely-Tanner or Tanner Neely, located just to the southeast of the Indian Camp Church south of Dykersburg.

While horseback riding through some semi rugged undergrowth, with my riding buddy Chester who knew "about" where the
cemetery was located, I had to stop to use my handy dandy cell phone to get directions from a Tanner neighbor. With the good directions now in hand we found the old burial site with little trouble, other than the occasional low-hanging branch smacking me in the face. Whatever did we do without those cell phones?

There are several markers remaining, most of which are quite old and unreadable. There is one "new" marker in the cemetery, which of course caught my eye.

Mary "Polly" Keys - 1831 - 1903, Cherokee Indian

If anyone has any information about this woman, her family, or knows who placed this marker in the cemetery, please contact me with the information. I would like to know more and be able to pass along this story to the Trail of Tears Association.

Autumn Is Almost Here!

2008-09-12T17:53:00.006-06:00

Once again my favorite season is almost here, AUTUMN! OCTOBER! October is Southern IL is a beautiful thing.
We have had some teaser weather as of late, lows in the 50's with highs only in the upper 60's or 70's. I couldn't
wait any longer to turn off the air conditioner and open the windows. Of course, just as soon as I did so the daily
highs jumped back up into the upper 80's, ALMOST 90˚, never fails.

Last weekend my husband and I joined some friends from northern IL for a little get-away to Starved Rock State Park
in Utica, IL. What an absolutely beautiful place! I would suggest to anyone wanting a little vacation time in a really pretty
location, with lots of hiking, fishing (if that's your thing), sight-seeing, etc., to drive the 305 miles (from Marion) to
enjoy this gem in Northern IL. There are numerous canyons, waterfalls and the Illinois River to enjoy. One can stay in the
Starved Rock Lodge or cabin or camp at a nearby campground.

St. Louis Canyon/Waterfall

We also visited the nearby town of Utica at least a couple of times. There are several places of interest including a
small museum, leather shop, gift shop with wine tasting available and a wonderful little restaurant called "The Blooming
Onion". A little further east, nearer to Ottowa is a Cajun restaurant (can't recall the name) that has excellent food and
a really fun atmosphere. All in all we had a really good time and I wouldn't mind returning sometime.

As I write this we are awaiting news of the landfall of hurricane Ike in Texas. Gas prices here in Southern IL have already
been affected, prices range from $3.99 to $4.85 per gallon... a little price gouging! Here's hoping and praying Galvaston
and Houston are not as hard hit as predicted.

Life goes on, so just remember to Live, Love and Laugh! Life is too short not to!

A BEAUTIFUL AUGUST!

2008-08-14T10:14:00.003-06:00

Can you believe this weather? August in Southern IL is normally hot and humid and pretty much unbearable! Not this year, not so far. If only I could be sure this would last I would love to turn off the air conditioner and open the windows.

Our Sikeston Ride last week was really nice, not too hot and no thunderstorms while on the trail. We had a small group to start the ride due to some who just couldn't get off work to join us. By Saturday all the "regulars" joined in and we had a great day. One interesting thing that usually occurs on the third day, between Charleston and Sikeston, MO, is riding through areas that are operating air-born irrigation systems. This of course means flying, whirring streams of water shooting out over the side roads we travel to the rodeo grounds. On really hot days most of us look forward to this little cool-down. However, most of our horses exhibit extreme caution when approaching and entering said streams of water. Some of the 1000 lb. critters just plain do not want anything to do with the shower across their path. It can get very interesting, watching and waiting, trying to time your forward movement so as NOT to be sprayed. Very interesting.
We all made it, some had to turn their mounts around more than once to convince them they would be left behind if they did not go forward. Horses do NOT like being left behind! So all managed to move through the little water hazards and on to the rodeo.

We did not ride in the grand entry this year. My riding buddy had had enough by the time we made it to the rodeo grounds so we unsaddled, fed and watered our "girls" and went for a shower and dinner. This is one of the most wonderful showers I ever enjoy. Even though we drive home the first two evenings, after our days ride (it's a three day ride, total), shower, eat dinner and sleep in our own beds, taking that shower at the end of the last day is like icing on the cake. We have to pay to shower at a local campground, $4 each, but I would happily pay much more! After cleaning up we go to dinner at a near by BBQ joint. Every year we jokingly talk about standing in line to eat at Lambert's but so far we never have.

After dinner we return to the horses and the rodeo grounds to meet the others from our ride for a little get-together, before splitting up to go to the rodeo. We won't see most of the folks again for a year and they are a good group of riders. It is fun to actually sit in the stands and watch the grand entry, instead of riding it. I usually have a little pang of "oh, I should have been on my horse in the entry", but then I remember I'm clean and don't smell like a horse for the first time in three days and I sort of like that, for the time being. This year's rodeo was better than some of the near past. We enjoyed it but we were ready to head home as soon as the rodeo itself was over. I'm sure the entertainment was great but after a long day in the saddle and a drive of one and a half hours home, let's just say it's much better that we miss the entertainment.

Today is my youngest granddaughter's birthday and I won't get to see her. I hate that! This is her father's week to have her with him so we'll just have to wait. Happy Birthday Emma! WE LOVE YOU!!! Eight years ago I was constantly checking in with my daughter while on the Sikeston Ride. We made it through the ride, barely, before I got the call that I needed to take my daughter to the hospital. Things got a little scary but all ended well with the birth of our little "Cherokee-Mick", blond hair, BIG blue eyes and all. It's funny how genetics work. I do believe she is the first, and only blond in our family!

And with that, I again have to say, Life's short, so...
LIVE, LOVE, and LAUGH

Moving Right Along...

2008-08-05T09:16:00.004-06:00

I'm home from the 9 Day "Encampment" (trail ride) and the weather is typical Southern IL HOT and HUMID. We had a couple of high weather alerts during the 9 Day, about 4 inches of rain and plenty of mud. My friend and riding buddy, Chester, and I took a new (to us) trail off the top of One Horse Gap this year, one that I hope NEVER to see or experience again!

Many riders also participated in the St. Jude's Charity Ride from the 9 Day camp to New Hope Hill camp, an annual ride. We had a very good time even though it was very warm and humid that day and the horses had to battle flies even through the layer of fly spray applied to them before leaving camp. At New Hope Hill we were treated to BBQ, chips and drinks as well as ice cream and air conditioning. Door prizes were awarded to all who made the donation to ride. This ride is always a good one, regardless of the heat, and seems to be enjoyed by all who participate.

While I was at the 9 Day my Nephew, Todd, was in South Dakota dancing his first (time to dance) Sundance. I really wish I could have been there with/for him but my previous commitment just didn't allow for that this year. I spoke with Todd yesterday for the first time since he completed the dance and all is well and he is very excited about all that he had the opportunity to experience while in SD. He and our Sundance Chief, Bear, are now on their way home and I can't wait to sit down with Todd to hear about all he has learned and the interesting people he met and talked with while at Crow Dog's Paradise.

Chester and I leave this week for the Sikeston Ride and it looks like the weather might improve about the day we begin. The whole ride and the Rodeo itself would be so much more enjoyable if the extremely hot temperatures would subside for just a few days. We've ridden this ride when it was very hot, not so hot and somewhere in between. I'm praying this year will be gentle and all will be comfortable, horses and humans, and we all arrive at the rodeo grounds safe and happy.

That's all till next time, remember to "LIVE, LOVE and LAUGH" because life's too short not to!

AHHH! Sweet Summer Time!

2008-07-06T14:31:00.004-06:00

I can't believe how fast the summer is flying by! It has been a strange summer, weather-wise.

First we had all that rain, rain and more rain; storms and more rain. June was much cooler than normal and so far July has been rather pleasant.

My summer generally consists of three main stages: mid June is Sundance which is something I plan for all year and actually spend nine to ten days camping and dancing. After Sundance is completed for the current year I begin to plan and prepare for the 9 Day Encampment, previously known by all as the 9 Day Ride. Again I physically spend about nine days camping and riding in the Shawnee Forest near Golconda, IL. Just a few days after the 9 Day is over it is time to saddle up and begin the "Sikeston Ride". This is a three day event that begins (on horseback) at the Williamson County Fairgrounds in Marion, IL and ends at the Sikeston JC Bootheel Rodeo.

Last year was so HOT and DRY that some of these events were not as enjoyable as they have been/will be this year. We had beautiful weather for Sundance, warm breezy days and very cool evenings. I have been attending Sundance for eleven years and began dancing seven years ago and this was the best, as far as the weather goes, ever. We had a somewhat smaller group this year and not quite as many supporters but all in all is was a very powerful dance. One that will always be special for me because my nephew was able to attend for the first time ever. For many years I have hoped and prayed he would someday be there and this was the year.

Life is good. Prayers are heard and answered. Sometimes the world around us gets really crazy and if we allow these crazy times to affect us in a negative way, life might not be so good. Life is good. Stay positive, look for the good in all people and situations. Do not dwell on the negative and if necessary, distance yourself from those who do. Life is what we choose to make it. Life is good.

I recently cleaned up my tipi and now it feels like home again. I keep a tarp on the floor because of all the rain, it's easier to soak up the puddles than wade through the mud. We removed the tarp, hosed it off and then applied some lime to the areas beneath the tarp that were extremely squishy. I put a fan in the tipi (I ran an extension cord from the nearest source)

for three days to help dry out the floor then put the tarp back in place. My firepit is one that I can carry in or out and sets on stepping stones on top of the tarp. I usually try to build at least a small fire in the pit every day or two to help keep the wood bees at bay as they can reek havoc on my lodge poles. It's nice to have everything back in place and the tipi ready to use.

Hopefully sometime in the very near future there will be a sweat lodge next to the tipi. We wanted to build one last fall but the weather was so dry that the willows would have been almost impossible to peel! So, check back often and maybe I'll be able to post a photo of the new lodge.

That's all till next time. Have a wonderful, safe summer and always remember to

LIVE, LOVE, and LAUGH!!!

AND WHAT A SPRING IT HAS BEEN!!!

2008-05-27T20:35:00.005-06:00

I'm not quite sure where to begin. It has been too long since my last post, not

that I haven't considered a line or two now and then.

On March 31, 2008, I lost my only sibling. My brother Neil was found face

down on the floor of his apartment about two hours after his son and a friend

left him. When my nephew left at about 9:30 p.m., Neil was fine. Sometime

between 11:30 and midnight the police called my nephew to tell him that

Neil had been found dead.

Neil's death is still under investigation.

It took some time to "deal" with this loss, we're still dealing with it

but the hurt is not as raw as it was a month ago.

My husband and I have been doing some revamping in the house. So

far we have new flooring on the main level, the kitchen, living room,

bedroom and master bath. I finally have the flooring I have always

wanted! The old house is looking better, fresher and that old carpet

is out of my life!

On May 6, about 4:00 a.m., my beautiful mare Lady gave birth to a

healthy black and white horse colt. I have yet to fill out the registration

papers but his name will be Tawodi's Spotted Alen Joe, or "AJ" for short.

He is wonderful! I began working with him the day he was born and he

pretty much thinks he's a big puppy. He has this cute little red halter that

I have had on him several times, red is his color. I just may have to keep

this one!

On April 19, (jumping around a bit) several of my Sundance family and friends

came to Southern IL to help set up a tipi in my back yard. It took some

doing thanks to the rain and mud, but we got it up. We had ceremony in the

tipi that evening and now I look forward to some of my Sundance family who will

return in a week or so to spend some time doing lodge and staying in the tipi

in preparation for Dance.

The Peace and Dignity Journeys will soon begin. the Trail of Tears portion of the run will

begin in Red Clay, TN June 3. I can't physically take part in this years run due to Sundance

but I hope that someday I will be able to run at least through KY, IL and MO. The Peace and Dignity Journey will take place again in another four years...

I'm sure there is a lot more to be said but I believe it will have to wait for another post.

As always, Remember to

LIVE, LOVE AND LAUGH!!!

Peace and Dignity Journeys 2008

2008-03-15T14:08:00.006-06:00

Click on images to enlarge

I THINK Spring is here at last!!!

With Spring comes the reawakening of Mother Earth. Green leaves and grass.

Dogwood and redbud blooms, tulip trees and flowering almond trees will once again

strut their stuff. Baby birds and many other babies in the fields and forests.

What a wonderful time this is.

This Spring is also time to plan for the Peace and Dignity Journeys 2008. I personally

will be making plans and preparations for the Trail of Tears portion of the Peace and Dignity

Journey. This past week we had two visitors from Arizona in Southern IL to see and help

lay the ground work for this years run. Sue Senn, Cherokee, and Gustavo Gutierrez, Opata,

both of Arizona, traveled with me to (first) Cape Girardeau, MO to meet with Peace and Dignity Cherokee coordinators in that area. Sue and Gustavo remained in MO overnight for another meeting, after visiting the Trail of Tears State Park.

Wednesday morning I met Sue and Gustavo at the Jonesboro, IL Sundance Grounds. While there we had a brief ceremony honoring the Sundance and Duke Big Feather Schallmo. After a much needed stop in Jonesboro for breakfast, the three of us continued on through Anna, Vienna and Grantsburg in route to the Crabb-Abbott Farm, owned by Joe Crabb. The Crabb-Abbott Farm was recently designated as a Historical Site in connection with the Trail of Tears. A portion of the farmland was actually a part of the Trail of Tears, the forced removal of the Cherokee from their homeland in the east to land beyond the Mississippi River, ultimately, Oklahoma. Mr. Crabb talked with us and has agreed to allow some of the runners from the Peace and Dignity Journeys 2008 to visit this sacred site while in Southern IL this summer.

Thursday morning we got an early start on our way back through Vienna to Dixon Springs Park. This is one of the areas the runners plan to camp while traveling the Trail of Tears this summer. Both Sue and Gustavo agreed that the park was beautiful and would be a perfect rest stop for the men and women on this journey. After leaving Dixon Springs we crossed IL Rt. 146 to Brownfield Road, traveling to the Trail of Tears Cemetery. This cemetery has been marked as the resting place of many Cherokee who perished during the march. As it turned out we spent quite a while at the cemetery, reading markers and saying prayers for all those who rest there.

Our next stop was the Golconda Dairy Bar for a bite to eat for lunch and time to make a call to Momfeather Erickson at the Mantle Rock Welcome Center in Marion, KY. Momfeather was wise and suggested that I should be sure the Cave-In-Rock Ferry was running before driving to the ramp. I hadn't considered that the high water might be too high for the ferry to operate! I made calls but could not get the information I needed, so we made a quick stop at a convenience/gas station just before the turn that will either take you to Cave-In-Rock or IL Rt.1. Thank goodness for the friendly and informative local gentlemen who were a wealth of information! "You'll have to take Rt.1, the ferry is closed."

The ferry would have been so much closer! I'm not sure but I believe the Rt.1, Shawneetown bridge route, from Hardin County, is about 50 (+) miles out of the way. It seemed more like a 100 miles farther, we made it in time however. Momfeather met us downtown at the storefront/barbershop welcome center which is directly across from the courthouse. Marion,KY is a beautiful small town with many warm, friendly people and the Mantle Rock

folks are at the top of that list. We were taken to the Mantle Rock Center where we met with Momfeather, Stella and Momfeather's daughter Tina. I felt as though I had known these women all my life and I know Sue and Gustavo felt likewise. I so appreciate their warmth and hospitality and hope to visit there again very soon.

I had to leave by 2:30 in order to make the drive back to Marion, IL in time to get my work taken care of for the day. Leaving Sue and Gustavo in the caring hands of the "Ladies of Mantle Rock" was more difficult than I had anticipated. I have enjoyed our time together and have learned much about not only my own Cherokee people and their plight, but also that of many other indigenous nations throughout this hemisphere. I am grateful for the three days I spent with my friends from Arizona. God willing Sue and I will see each other this summer at Sundance and I look forward to that. I hope I have the opportunity to once again see and speak with Gustavo, the kind, caring, soft-spoken wise man who was a stranger when he arrived at my house on Monday evening. By Thursday, he was family.

Gustavo and Sue traveled on through KY to TN after we parted. There is to be a meeting at Indian Mound, TN this evening. Tomorrow the two of them will return to their homes and continue to plan for Peace and Dignity Journeys 2008. Anyone in the Southern IL area who would like to support Peace and Dignity in some way or anyone who wishes to run along as PDJ 2008 passes through your community, please leave a comment to this post, including a way that I can get in touch with you and I will attempt to answer any questions you may have

concerning the run.

Wado

Robin

"Live, Love and Laugh!"

IS IT OVER YET?

2008-03-09T19:26:00.003-06:00

Please, PLEASE tell me winter is finished!

I love one (that's ONE) really nice, peaceful snowfall

during the winter months. I'm not at all crazy about

ice and this multiple WINTER STORM WARNING

stuff simply stinks! My mood and my skin really need

to see spring.

AAAAAAHHHHHHH SPRING! Green leaves and beautiful

fragrant blooms. Singing frogs and pools and puddles filled

with tadpoles, baby birds, mushrooms. Newborn foals! Yes,

we are expecting a new foal this spring and I can't wait to

once again have a beautiful little spotted (it better be spotted)

baby in the pasture.

One thing is absolutely certain, after a winter like this everyone

should enjoy spring even more than usual! I know I will.

So we'll hope spring is here at last, if it's still waiting around the

corner just remember:

LIVE, LOVE, and LAUGH!!!

Let There Be LIGHT! And HEAT! And HOT Showers!!!

2008-02-17T18:16:00.003-06:00

First of all, I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to Southeastern Illinois Electric for getting our electricity back up and running. WOW! Was it COLD in my house without power! I have always been perfectly happy with an "all electric" home, until experiencing 74.5 hours, in mid-February, without heat.

I don't really consider myself a wimp, or a "girly" girl, actually I know I'm a bit of a "tom-boy" . After all I spend nine days living in a tent with no running water or electricity at Sundance each summer. Then I spend another nine days, the end of July, riding horses and sleeping in the non electrified dressing room of my horse trailer. I always manage just fine during these times. However doing without heat in mid-February is a completely different situation!

I can pretty much say, with complete confidence, that next winter we will have not only a power generator but a gas fireplace as well! Live and learn. Regardless, I am so, so happy to have heat again! It's nice to also have television, internet and hot water.

We are so spoiled!

Oh well! Live, Love and Laugh!

BRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

2008-02-13T12:35:00.005-06:00

It's MISERABLE at my house!

As of right now we have been without (WITHOUT!) power for 31.5 hours. My house is almost as cold inside as the temperature outside. Did I mention our house is all electric?

So, how am I posting this on the computer without electricity? I braved the frozen, ice covered roads from my house to my daughters place, which is about 22 miles from me.
I made the drive just fine and her house is WARM!!! I'm getting to drink fresh, HOT, coffee! I'm going to take a nice HOT shower!!! Then I will have to return home to the frozen tundra of the Roberts' Ranch!

Many of our neighbors are also without power and I hope and pray they either have someplace warm to visit or the funds available to rent a room. The weather man says we may get more cold winter stuff this weekend, I hope he is wrong.

So I'll remind all of you, as I try to remind myself, to "LIVE, LOVE and LAUGH"!

Winter Wonderland

2008-02-08T18:57:00.000-06:00

I have come to the conclusion that I, as I get older, should take up residence in a state with a much warmer year round climate. Still I have to admit that there is something so beautiful and peaceful about newly fallen snow. It's just that darn cold wind that makes my bones hurt!

I even like to go out and "play" in the snow with my dogs and, if they are out of school, my grandkids. Providing I can get on enough warm clothes and still move, I even like to go for a short horseback ride in the snow. I am however learning that it is just easier and much more comfortable to just bundle up and take a quick trip around the yard to snap a picture or two, then hurry back inside to a nice warm cup of green tea.

And then, there is Spot! Spot never seems to get cold when it comes to playing in the snow. When I decide I've had enough fun in the frigid air and re-enter the warmth of my house, closing the door in his face, Spot sits at the patio door, tilts his head to one side and stares at me through the glass. I imagine he will weigh 75 pounds by spring due to all the chew bones that head tilt earns him! He is just so darn cute!

This week the snow is all gone, we even had thunderstorms earlier this week. It's difficult to adjust to the weather since it's colder than a brass monkey one day and the next the temperature is in the 50's! It's a little strange when you are ducking for cover in early February because the tornado sirens are sounding. If the weather is so unstable in February, what is March going to bring? Snow? Thunderstorms and high winds? Gentle rain???

Oh! I AM so looking forward to SPRING!

Groundhogs?!?!?!?

2008-02-03T19:11:00.000-06:00

Can furry little critters really forecast the weather?

Let's see.

When it's going to rain, my knees and hands hurt and if it's really going to be a major storm system my head threatens to
explode. When the barometer drops, the horses and cattle lay down. If the wind is out of the west and it is blowing cold or rain or snow, my girls (horses) will have their rumps pointed in that direction. When the weatherman says we're going to have two or more inches of snow, the local Kroger parking lot is completely full and you can't get your cart through the aisles.

All indicators of the weather?

Now I am pretty certain all animals who live above ground are directly affected by the weather, hot or cold, and all the changes
it can bring. But seriously, can a furry little fella who burrows underground for a long winters nap, be awakened by some big burly, parka wearing guy, yanked out of his warm, comfy winters nest and expected to know how many more weeks of winter we will have? And just because they are going to have six more weeks in PA, does that naturally mean we will have the same here in SOUTHERN IL???

I think they need to leave poor little Pux_______ (can't possibly spell his name) Phil alone and just wait a few weeks to see what Mother Nature has in store. I mean does it really matter what the large rodent thinks? And who speaks groundhog, after all?
I think I would rather just wait, take one winter day at a time, and not have to think about six more weeks of cold.

Just my opinion, and just another reason to ALWAYS REMEMBER to

LIVE, LOVE, and LAUGH!

Peace and Dignity Journeys 2008/Trail of Tears

2008-01-26T19:38:00.000-06:00

Every four years something very important takes place throughout North, Central and South America. I'm not speaking of Leap Year, I'm talking about the Peace and Dignity Journeys. This endeavor began back in 1992 and continues every four years with the cooperation, love and fortitude of many, many people throughout the north and south. This journey is about honoring the People, land and places important to all People of the Americas.

There are different branches or "routes" that will take place but the one that will be "close to home" here in Southern IL, is the Trail of Tears route. Runners will come from NC/TN through KY and into Southern IL on the ferry at Cave In Rock, after spending a couple of nights at Mantle Rock in Marion, KY. The route will follow IL Route #146 through Hardin, Pope , Johnson and Union Counties where the participants will spend a few days in the Anna Jonesboro area at the Two Feathers Sundance encampment. When the Sundance is over the runners will proceed on to MO and continue on to Tahlequah, OK.

As the coordinator for the area from Mantle Rock to Anna-Jonesboro, I hope to get many local people interested in the Peace and Dignity Journeys 2008. I have included a link to the PDJ website for general information (see column to right>>>). Anyone who would like to contact me for more information specifically about the Trail of Tears Route, please leave a comment here or send an email to :
spottedhawk@CherokeeNation.zzn.com

2008

2008-01-06T19:47:00.000-06:00

Well, it's 2008. Another Christmas has come and gone, another New Year is here.

What can I say...
The candidates (presidential) are on a roll and I'm already sick of all of them.
My husband has been right here, with me 24/7 for two (+) months. I am not
looking forward to retirement. I certainly hope and pray this new year will have
a lot more to offer in the way of work for hubby.
I am looking forward to spring time when we should have a new foal, that will
be exciting! Of course I look forward to spring for many reasons, warmth, new
growth, horseback riding and lots of green, green, green!

What can I say?
I can say that tomorrow is a new day in this NEW YEAR and I'll be happy to see
that NEW DAY. I am happy, and thankful for each new day I'm blessed with.

And so I once again remind all of you, as well as myself, to LIVE, LOVE and LAUGH.
As much and as often as you possibly can.

Christmas is almost here!

2007-12-13T19:54:00.000-06:00

I'm having a little trouble getting in the Christmas spirit.
I think I need help.
Usually I can count on my grandkids to help me get excited, or at least
"wrapped up" in looking forward to the holidays, unfortunately, this year
two of the grandkids are going to need help. My four year old grandson
and ten year old granddaughter lost their paternal grandfather last Sunday
morning. The four year old really does not understand what is going on,
although he was upset that "Papaw" was going to be buried "in the ground",
he still does not understand. Our granddaughter is crushed. It is so hard to see
the pain on her beautiful little face and the tears, that is really tough. My heart
aches for the two of them as well as my son-in-law and the rest of his family.
There really is nothing one can say that will help at such a time. I've been
through the loss of loved ones and I know people mean well and want so
desperately to help, to somehow take a little bit of the pain away. Words can't
do it. Only time and the love of others will help lessen the pain. The only
thing I can tell my grandchildren when they ask me "WHY?" did Papaw have
to die, or when they say "I just can't believe I'll never see him again", is to
remind them that he is always with them and that they always carry him
in their hearts.

My beloved paternal grandfather passed over 25 years ago last Monday.
So I understand that Christmas will never again be quite the same for
those who lost their loved one(s) this season. We tell ourselves "life goes on",
and it does of course, as is God's will. Through love, and yes, loss of loved
ones, we grow and even gain strength. Life changes and it changes us, this
we can be sure of. We feel the pain of loss, our own and that of our loved ones.
Through this we can gain strength and sense of purpose, and maybe, if we
pay really close attention to the lessons God has for us, we learn something
new about ourselves and what we are made of. So, keep your eyes, ears, and
heart open to the lessons, even the ones that are at first a little painful!

So to sum up my Christmas post, because I probably won't get the chance to
post again till after Christmas, MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, however
you celebrate the season I hope it's a good one. Even if you are having a little
trouble getting in the groove...just try to "LIVE, LOVE and LAUGH!!!". Things will
get better.

Pay MORE get LESS!!! (Sophie says...)

2007-11-17T20:13:00.000-06:00

Today was a most beautiful day in Southern IL! It's November 17 and the high today was about 60 degrees, I'm not sure the deer hunters loved the warmth as much as I did. Speaking of deer hunters, today was the Pope County Deer Festival Parade in Golconda, IL. This is an annual event that my riding buddy Chester, along with my oldest grandchild Mariah and I attend, with our horses of course. This is about the only safe riding available during shotgun season so we take advantage of it. As usual it was a well attended parade with many high school bands, politicians, festival queens and of course the "Little Miss and Misters".
All in all a very enjoyable afternoon that includes a BBQ sandwich and then the short ride through the parade route.

What I would most like to mention about today is the handout given to me by "Sophie", a rather pleasant four legged with very long ears, a hat with flowers and an owner with a feed bucket full of information from Sophie. For those of you who are Farm Bureau members I'm sure you are already familiar with Sophie and her "Sophie Says" column. You see, dear old Sophie is responsible for keeping many Southern Illinoisans up to date on the goings on in the Shawnee Forest. So in an attempt to help Sophie out a little, I'm going to post her latest update. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Forest Service LACKS FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY!

Why should YOU have to pay?

1. The Forest Service has lost MILLIONS in timber sales.
2. The Forest Service is spending $5 MILLION on a complex to replace the Vienna facility.
3. The Forest Service uses your tax dollars!
4. The Forest Service charges you for bridle tags!

The Forest Service has closed trails, and shut off water! Trailheads have not been mowed! Sanitation facilities have been eliminated or are non-existent!

...AND NOW the Forest Service wants to charge you $5 a day to ride the Shawnee Forest!

...AND NOW the Forest Service wants to charge you $50 a year to ride the Shawnee National Forest!

Sophie says, "We'll pay MORE and get LESS!
That's the U.S. Forest Service way!!!"
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SOPHIE SAYS: "Ask the right questions!"

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Trail Rider: Please consider asking the following questions about the proposed fees for trail riders.

1. According to the Shawnee National Forest website, "By far the greatest year-round use on the Shawnee National Forest
is horseback riding." DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT?

2. WHY SUCH A HIGH ANNUAL FEE ($50) when the Hoosier National Forest charges only $25 and the Land Between the
Lakes charges only $60 per TRAILER LOAD, not per person.

3. WHY IS THERE NO SENIOR DISCOUNT?

4. Current policy states that after a 1" rain in the Wilderness, trails are closed for a minimum of 24 hours. HOW DO YOU
PLAN TO REFUND PARTIAL FEES FOR DAYS LOST DUE TO THIS POLICY?

5. Many riders live on property that borders the Lusk Creek Wilderness Watershed. HOW WILL REDUCTION IN THEIR RIDING
FEES BE CALCULATED, SINCE SUPT. NICHOLAS CLOSES THIS WILDERNESS AT LEAST 1 OUT OF 3 DAYS PER YEAR?

6. Since fees are supposed to be used for trail maintenance, IS SUPT. NICHOLAS WILLING TO MAIL AN AUDIT OF EXPENSES
AND WORK DONE TO JUDGE GILBERT AND TO ANY CITIZEN WHO MAKES A REQUEST?

7. Since the Shawnee National Forest has so many chiefs, WOULDN'T IT BE WISE TO HIRE MORE INDIANS, REDUCE THE
NUMBER OF CHIEFS, AND THEN MAINTAIN THE TRAILS?

8. Other National Forests do not have a limit on un-ridden horses (pack/pony), so WHY ARE YOU USING THIS RESTRICTION
IN THE SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST?

9. Knowing that all monies for the U.S. Forest Service comes from the same pot, HOW CAN YOU JUSTIFY SUCH A POOR
TRAIL SYSTEM AND THE BUILDING OF A NEW MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR COMPLEX IN VIENNA?

10.Considering how unpopular the Forest Service is with, not only the trail riders, but environmentalists and hikers,
and how services leave much to be desired, HOW CAN YOU ASK THE PUBLIC TO PAY A USER FEE WITH A CLEAR
CONSCIENCE?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ATTENTION

HIKERS! TRAIL RIDERS! ROCK CLIMBERS!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are recreating in YOUR Shawnee Nation Forest, be prepared to pay as much as $50 annually to do so!

Even though the Shawnee National Forest has lost MILLIONS in timber sales and is spending MILLIONS on a new facility at Vienna, THE AGENCY WANTS TO CHARGE YOU MORE!

Even though the Forest Service uses your tax dollar and you still have to purchase bridle tags, THE AGENCY WANTS TO CHARGE YOU MORE!

The Forest Service has CLOSED trails, SHUT OFF water, REMOVED tables and trash cans, left trail heads UNMOWED and
ELIMINATED or not provided sanitation facilities! THE AGENCY WANTS TO CHARGE YOU MORE!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

People, if you do not like what's going on...then you need to take a few minutes and express your thoughts
and feelings on the subject of FEES for the Shawnee National Forest.

For the price of one soda, you can potentially save yourself $50 per year.

Purchase two stamps!
Write down your thoughts and ideas about fees!

Send copy #1 to:
Recreation Advisory Committee
% Region 9
Regional Office
626 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Send Copy #2 to:
Congressman John Shimkus
110 E. Locust
Room 12
Harrisburg, IL 62946

Sophie says, "If you don't do this, no one is going to do it for you!"

=============================================================================

I THINK SOPHIE MAKES A LOT OF SENSE! IF YOU ENJOY RIDING OR CLIMBING OR HIKING IN THE SHAWNEE FOREST, IT'S TIME
TO TAKE A STAND!!! STOP WAITING FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WRITE THOSE LETTERS!

Make your voice heard, if we don't all speak up NOW, we stand to loose more and more. It doesn't matter if you live in Southern Illinois or not, if you enjoy spending time in the Shawnee, please take this opportunity to speak your mind on the subject of fees. Please don't wait, do it now, please.

November is Native American Month

2007-11-14T20:24:00.000-06:00

There seems to be a lot going on in Southern IL this month! Saturday, November 3, one of our Sundance Chiefs came down from
Chicago to meet up with two singers/drummers and a female singer/Sundancer from Indiana, along with myself, for a presentation to a middle school class in Metropolis. It was a beautiful day, bright blue sky, warm sunshine and a gentle breeze. We all met up in Metropolis and we were joined by Larry Yazzie, Meskwaki/Dine' Pow Wow Dancer from Minnesota.

Our Chief, Dale "Bear" Copeland spoke to the crowd, of approximately 50, about our Dance, the spirituality aspect and a bit about the ceremony involved with Sundance. We attempted to build a sweat lodge but due to the recent dry weather the willows were a little difficult to work with and we certainly couldn't peel the bark as is the traditional and proper way to prepare the willows. So, due to un-peelable bark and time constraints, we only constructed the frame of the lodge and then described how it should be completed and the purpose for the lodge. The original plan was for me to talk about the Cherokee People and the Trail of Tears. Again, due to a lack of time, I did not have the opportunity to speak. Hopefully, next year we will again be invited to Metropolis and will be better prepared to make better use of out time allotment.

When we were told that Mr. Yazzie was ready (and waiting) in the gym for his performance, everyone moved inside and our part of the presentation was over. Mr. Yazzie is a very skilled and entertaining dancer/performer. While there was a huge difference in his performance and our presentation, I feel that the young people and adults in attendance learned something new about Native culture and spirituality. This was a very interesting experience and I was happy to be a part of it, even if my part was left out I still enjoyed the opportunity just to be a part of the presentation.

If any of you out there have the opportunity to participate in, either as a presenter or an attendee, of one or more of the many programs about Native Americans this month, please do it! This is the perfect time to learn more yourself or to help others learn more about the First People of America. Enjoy!

My FAVORITE Season

2007-10-12T13:09:00.000-06:00

October is here!!! I love the month of October, I love autumn. The way the cool, crisp air smells, the coolness
in the air and the need to actually wear long sleeves. The way my horses smell and the quckness in their step.
(I have always thought I could bottle that aroma and sell it to every woman in love with horses at a resonable
price and still become wealthy!) Life is always good, but this time of year, life is even better, somehow more
beautiful. Of course a beautiful array of autumn leaves would add to the beauty of the season a great deal,
but we will have to leave that up to Mother Nature.

I find it very difficult to stay indoors to work. Let's see, retirement at 52? I could go for that. Of course as it
is now, having my studio in my home, being self employed and not having any employees, that's almost as
good as being retired, right? Take the jobs you want and leave the rest to the multitude of other photographers
in the area. Notice I didn't say "professional" photographers? Digital cameras are great but since they came
on the scene, everyone thinks they can "do it as good as the professionals". Life moves in cycles, changes
happen, things come and go and people tend to learn the hard way. When the event is over, such as a wedding
or reunion or anniversary, etc., events that can't be re-enacted, and the photos Aunt Mary or Uncle Joe took
are back from Walmart...you've heard of 20/20 hindsight, right? Enough said.

We have had many wonderful rides recently, even before the weather cooled. Last Monday, Columbus Day,
I took my 10 year old granddaughter on the 12 mile ride at Giant City State Park. We rode the trail backwards
in order to arrive at the lodge near lunch time. That chicken sure was good! It's always a little tough to get back
on your horse, with such a full belly, for the final 20 minute ride back to the horse camp. We made it though and
my granddaughter had a great time. It was wonderful to hear her laughing and giggling behind me as we "moved
on" down the trail. Mariah seems to be somewhat of a natural horseperson which of course makes grandma quite
proud.

The day before Giant City, Chester and I rode on the "E-Town Ride", Elizabethtown to Karbers Ridge/High Knob.
Now I'm not sure how many miles the ride is but I do know that we spent about six hours in the saddle - and
that's not counting the 45 minutes or so we spent on the ground for lunch. This is an annual ride, I have been
going on this one for about ten or eleven years. Chester on the other hand, at the ripe old age of 89 years and
9 months, has been on the ride at least twice as many times as I have. This is a beautiful ride, even though this
year we had a very warm day with temps in the 90's. One thing I can always count on concerning this ride, even
though I ride often and put a lot of time in the saddle, on the E-Town ride I will manage to aquire at least one
blister. And I'm not talking about a blister on my heel!

On Saturday, the day before the E-Town Ride, Chester, Mariah and I loaded up our animals and traveled to the
Enfield Mule Days Parade. Chester of course was on his mule, Jake, while Mariah and I rode Fancy and Lady,
our horses. Once again, for about the third year in a row, Chester took first place in the mule judging and came
home with a nice little check for his troubles. It was very warm, no, it was HOT! We did have a good time and
Mariah and Fancy did a great job, even though Mariah was a bit dissappointed the horses were not judged as
well as the mules. Well, after all it was the MULE Days Parade!

October is off to a great start, today is cool and the sun is shining. So why am I sitting here, indoors, typing
on this computer?

Time moves forward...

2007-08-29T20:07:00.000-06:00

August in Southern Illinois. WHEW!
If it weren't for my family and some really good friends, I would be all for moving to some higher elevation where the temperature never climbs above 85˚. I said "if". If I had a million dollars I would ...
Oh, well. What does it matter anyway?

The grandkids are back in school and autumn is just around the corner. Another year of annual rides is just about over. We survived the Sikeston Ride yet again. Of course I did put my foot down and refuse to ride the full 26 miles of the first day. Just too darn hot for the horses, and why make myself and my horse miserable? I don't need to prove anything and my horse was much more comfortable in the barn with a full bucket of water and three fans to help keep her cool. So, Chester and I rode from the Williamson County Fairgrounds back to my house, about 3 miles or a little more. That was enough for such a hot day. Several others completed the 26 miles from Marion to Lick Creek School. They were very careful and kind with the horses. The ride leader carried a 250 gallon water tank in his trailer (he and his brother take turns riding and driving the truck and trailer) and about once per hour, or more often if needed, everyone would stop to rest the horses and offer them water. So all made it safely to the school and the end of the first day. The second and third days are a little shorter. Day two is about 17 miles and day three is approximately 18 miles. We all made it safely and the horses did great.

August 18 was another leg of the River to River Ride that several of us from the area are participating in. This ride was from Giant City Park to Fern Cliff State Park, about 22.5 miles. It was a very hot daybut we took our time and took care of our animals. August 25 was the annual Stonefort Reunion Ride, about 15 miles. We saw a little rain on this ride and we had a pretty good breeze going all day. I believe there were about five wagons and teams and maybe 7 or 8 horseback riders. All in all is was a pretty nice ride.

I am so looking forward to cool, crisp weather and the changing leaves, open windows and the smell fo autumn. I am also looking forward to this weekend when two of my friends from Chicago will come for a short visit. Too often we only get to see each other at Sundance and if we are lucky, maybe one other time throughout the year. This year I hope it will be different as I plan to make a couple of trips to Chicago before Christmas. I'm not a "city girl" but I can manage to tough it out for a few days now and then!

Remember, don't take yourself or life too seriously and ALWAYS remember to "Live, Love and Laugh"!

Are We Having Fun Yet???

2007-08-05T20:30:00.000-06:00

OH MY GOODNESS!!! It IS HOT!!!

It's summer in Southern IL, hot, humid and getting hotter. I have just returned from the 9 Day Trail Ride, or as it
is to be known from now on, The 9 Day Encampment. Why the change? Ask the Forest Service. Enough said.

While at the "encampment" I once again visited the Story Cemetery. I walked the entire area of the one acre site,
attempting to find (count) graves. Since the only graves with "readable" markers are those of Ephraim and Caroline
STORY, it can be difficult to be certain where the others lie. There are still many, many sandstone markers at the
head and foot of the graves, no print, just rocks. The best I could tell there seems to be at least fifty graves within
the one acre cemetery.

Again, I am asking for anyone with any information about this cemetery or the placement of the marker for Caroline
Williford Story, to please contact me. This has become an obsession and I would really like to find out who knew
Caroline was Cherokee and went so far as to say so on her marker in both English and Cherokee.

Next week I plan to go on the "Sikeston Ride", weather permitting. A group of horseback riders and a few teams and
wagons will leave the Williamson County Fairground Thursday morning for a three day adventure, an annual event.
On Saturday we (hope) plan to arrive in Sikeston, MO at the JC Bootheel Rodeo. It's going to be hot and if we have the typical
weather, it will storm at least one day of the ride. Right now my horses are resting up and eating plenty of salt and
in turn drinking plenty of water in an effort to get ready for three long, hot days. Why would anyone do this, you ask?
I'm not sure about the other riders, my excuse is multi-layered. My riding "buddy" is almost 90 years young and an
inspiration! I go on this ride because he wants to, because he feels like doing this. How could I possibly tell him
I think it's too hot or too long a ride? How could I tell him my knees hurt or I'm too tired to go? So, as of right now the only
thing that will prevent us going is if it's too hot for the horses. It is supposed to be really HOT! Time will tell.

Hope everyone is surviving the summer. Remember to Live, Love and Laugh!!!

BACK AT LAST...Well, Sort Of

2007-05-20T19:40:00.000-06:00

Oh my goodness!
For some time now I have not posted to my blog. First of all I just wasn't in a very jolly state of mind due to
the health condition of one of my in-laws. I know that to some that might sound as though I'm just looking
for something to be upset about. The rest of the story is that I have become very close to my in-laws and
it became apparent, as the disease progressed, that they needed someone they could depend on any time
they needed something or someone to get them where they needed to be. My husbands sister lives out west
and the other sibling is here but has his hands full already. My husband often must travel to work and often
works different shifts and therefore can't commit to making appointments, etc. I was the logical one to step
forward and do what needed to be done and was happy to do so. I want to help them now while they are still
with us because when they are gone it will be too late. In this situation, there are no "do overs"!

So, in the midst of appointments, sometimes two per week (on different days), grocery shopping, package
delivery, more shopping, preparing a house for sale, and of course trying to run my own business, SMACK!
Our eldest daughter has to be air-lifted out of state for emergency surgery to remove a hemorrhagic mass
from the left side of her brain! That was almost three weeks ago, and it was a day I will never forget. I have
given it some thought, since many people ask me what happened, how the day progressed. The best way
I know to describe the events of that nightmarish day is simply that it was like a long, slow, painful descent
into hell. Without a doubt, even considering the day my Father passed over, it was the absolute worst
day of my life!

The good news is that she is alive, which the doctors say might not have been the case if we had waited one day,
or even a few hours more to bring her in. The mass was not a tumor, it was a vascular malformation and it was
hemorrhaging and had done so previously as the surgeon found old blood stains on the brain tissue. The mass was
about the size of a hens egg, requiring an opening in her skull the size of a silver dollar. Long (very long) story
short, she is recovering, her eyesight is good, her memory is fine, she retained all motor skills and she will now
set off metal detectors when she passes through. Hopefully within the month she will once again be able to drive.

One week and one day after the eldest had her surgery our youngest had to have surgery to correct one ruptured
disc and one bulging disc in her neck. This surgery was at least not an unexpected emergency, it was planned
and I was a little more prepared. Worn out from the week before, but prepared. This daughter's surgery went
without a hitch and after one nights stay following the procedure, I was able to take her home. Like her older sister she will also now set off metal detectors. I spent a couple of days with her, trying to help in whatever way I could,
mostly making sure she didn't do too much too soon.

This past week I was able to return to my own house and to helping my in-laws. I'm still driving the eldest and
her children to ball games, shopping, etc., but my bags are unpacked and have been returned to the closet.
So, what have I learned from all this excitement? For one, I'm tougher than I thought I was. God certainly knows
how to test us, how to remind us who we really are, WHAT we really are and what is really important. I also learned
there are many, many friends, family, neighbors, Sundance family and some who are just acquaintances, who were
ready and willing to pray for my children, my grandchildren and us when we needed them.

To all of you out there who prayed for us, called, emailed, sent food and or flowers, THANK YOU, all of you.
The prayers were heard, they worked, God listens.

Aho Mitakuye Oyasin

SPRING!!!

2007-03-25T19:19:00.000-06:00

I really believe that the grass has greened and the daffodils bloomed O_V_E_R_N_I_G_H_T!
My wisteria is about to pop, the redbud trees are ready to open and everything is about
to awaken once again. I have even noticed a couple of beautiful new foals in the neighborhood!
One other, slightly less exciting thing has also occured, the ticks are on the move. I really
dislike those little buggers more than I can express. I have already had two of them attached
to my skin after only one day working in the yard. Such is life. With the good there is also always
something a little less wonderful.

I just experienced another birthday. For some reason they just aren't as exciting as they were
when I was a teenager. I'll choose to keep having them however since celebrating yet another
year is much better than the alternative. Gray hair and wrinkles, no big deal! I have earned them.
(And I must have worked really hard for such a pay-off!)

Springtime is wonderful! The heat is turned off, don't need air conditioning yet and the birds are
so happy to sing all day long. The tree frogs are also very busy little guys, as are the owls, red-
tail hawks and coyotes. The awakening of Mother Earth is so beautiful!

Happy Springtime, Everyone!

Trail of Tears

2007-02-25T11:57:00.000-06:00

For those of you who share an interest in the Cherokee People, Cherokee heritage and history, this link is the account of John G. Burnett's Story of the Removal of the Cherokees.

I have at different times talked to some people who believe the story of the Trail of Tears is bogus. There are those who think all the Cherokee People chose to leave their homes in the Mountains of the Blue Mist, Smokey Mountains, to be herded like cattle to Indian Territory in the west. I wish I could send this link to all those folks. Of course there are always doubters, like those who think the Nazi's never did horrible things to the Jews, the white folks here in this country never beat their slaves, etc.
Those stories are in the history books. We DID hear and read about those happenings in school. I bet you never saw John G. Burnett's story in a high school history book! Why is that do you suppose? Your input is welcome...

So please, take the time to click on the link (title, Trail of Tears) above to read Mr. Burnett's story. He was a man of compassion.

It's FEBRUARY!!!

2007-02-25T11:15:00.000-06:00

We finally had our first real snow fall of the season. What a strange winter it has been! For the longest time the temperatures stayed quite warm, then it rained, and rained. Then it rained some more, enough rain! We've had way too much wind, especially with the soggy ground which means many trees have been uprooted and many limbs are found in and along side the roadways. But the snow was pretty, didn't last long due to the temperature bouncing back up into the upper 40's and 50's within a day or two. Now we've had more rain and another slight cooldown. Of course all this fun means that most everyone has, or has had, some sort of sinus/head cold, bronchitis, etc. for months now. Everytime I begin to believe my head is about to clear up the weather makes a drastic change and wouldn't you know it, I'm right back where I was a week ago! I am so ready for SPRING!

I haven't been on a horse since mid December. Everytime I think I will have the time to ride the weather decides not to permit it happening. When we do have the occasional warm, dry day, everyone needs something from me. So I imagine that by the time I do get in the saddle again it will be like starting all over. You know, saddle sores, stiff, sore muscles, etc., but it is always worth it. I can almost smell that clean, fresh Spring air now...
And, until it really is warm and sunny and the buds and blooms start to pop, keep your head up and remember to "LIVE, LOVE and LAUGH"!

No Wonder He Didn't See His Shadow!

2007-02-06T19:57:00.000-06:00

Hey folks, the groundhog didn't see his shadow!
NEWSFLASH: It was cloudy and drop-dead cold!!! I wouldn't stick my head out of my nice, warm burrow either if I
were a groundhog!
Oh well, like groundhogs can predict the weather anyway.

I can't believe it's already February. The last several weeks have kind of been a blur for me, and I'm sure several other family
members feel the same way. Some of our family has recently moved into assisted living, a really nice home but what a major
life change! There was the search for the "right place", then the weeks of preparing for the move - packing, etc. Then the
physical move, which I have learned can go on for weeks also. Articles are moved from the house to the home, then some
have to be taken back to the house or given away because there isn't enough room for everything at the home. Then there are
other items that were forgotten or overlooked and now need to be packed and moved, then probably "re-moved", again. Once
everyone is settled in it will be time to get the house cleared out, cleaned up and put up for sale. I'm thinking that maybe, if we're lucky, about this time next year our lives will return to some type of normalcy.

It has been so cold lately that I haven't had the inspiration to ride a horse in weeks, well actually I guess we could say months now. I haven't ridden since December and that's just not normal for me. I am so ready for Spring and warm weather, flowers and horseback riding!!! My "girls" (horses) are really looking shaggy and somewhat neglected. They get fed mid morning and turned out for the day. In the evening I clean their stalls, feed and water them and put them up for the night. By the time I'm finished getting them in their stalls my hands and toes are so cold they feel like they would shatter if I bumped them on anything! I just can't quite wrap my fingers around a curry comb long enough to do any sort of justice to their manes and tails right now.

Oh well, such is life. I guess warm sunny weather year round would get boreing, but I believe I could learn to live with it.
So, when I warm up enough that I don't have to worry about my face cracking apart, I'll have to remind myself to -
LIVE, LOVE and LAUGH!!!

RAIN, RAIN, RAIN...

2007-01-13T17:40:00.000-06:00

Will the rain ever stop? Here in Southern IL we ended 2006 at 50+ inches of rain ABOVE normal! I always thought I might like to someday visit Ireland, where they say it rains every day, but why bother? I have rain here, almost every day and I don't have to risk the airplane ride to experience it. I don't do airplanes. I like my feet to be firmly on Mother Earth at all times, even if it is by extension of my horses hooves.

My pasture looks like a lake, my back yard looks like a lake and even the goose (McGoose) decided she'd had enough water today and went in the hen house! When it's too wet for McGoose you know we've had way too much rain. My husband had planned to hunt this weekend as it was going to be his last chance to deer hunt until next fall, but he decided to stay dry instead. Of course it could always be worse, right? I understand in St. Louis they are under an Ice Storm WARNING. The weather man says it's going to get cold next week, so I guess we'll have winter after all. Oh Joy! Can't wait! Haven't ridden a horse in weeks and I'm going to get way out of shape!!!

What a week this past one has been. On Monday I took my father-in-laws puppy to the vet to be spade, that was in the morning. Then in the afternoon I drove back to the vet's office (about a 40 min. drive) to pick her up. On Tuesday I got up, really early, to take my daughter to MO for carpal tunnel surgery on her hand. Thank goodness everything went well and she is healing as she should be. Then on Wednesday I took both my mother-in-law and father-in-law for doctors appointments, which took all afternoon. I felt like a bird out of a cage on Thursday! Friday means a trip to town and then, finally I managed to get some work done in the office. Time to get all the tax stuff ready to go, what fun!

Tomorrow the weather man says, "More rain", can't wait. Oh well, when it rains I get a lot accomplished in the house. As they say, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!". Yeah! PUCKER POWER!!!
Just gotta LIVE, LOVE and LAUGH!

2007

2007-01-02T15:35:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!

In about, oh, two or three weeks I will adjust to 2007 in print, my print that is. All of my checks for the next couple of weeks will be messy due to the scratching out of 2006 and correcting with 2007. I know a lot of us do that, with every new year, but I really wish that just this once I could get it right from the very first opportunity.

Change. Do we learn to adapt better as we grow older or does it become more difficult? The older we get the more practice we've had, right? Does "practice make perfect"? Apparently not in my case! I think I'm a little more patient now that I'm a little older, or maybe it's not patience but rather just the slower reflexes. Takes me a lot longer to respond, or to even realize a response is on it's way. Maybe that's a good thing...

So we've started another new year. Because my horses and cats are registered, they are all considered a year older as of January 1. It won't be too long before I (hopefully) will see another birthday roll around. I tried to stop having birthdays at the age of 35 but my family and friends just wouldn't go for that. One of my oldest and dearest friends gets a big kick out the fact that I reach that "another year older" mark about seven months before she does. Sure, it's funny now, but when I turned 16 and could drive while she had another seven months to be "hauled around", it wasn't so funny! My how things change! My kids are getting older too, doesn't seem possible they could both be over 30 now.

Regardless of age, mine or someone else's, patience, reflexes, or lack of, it's time to start a new year. Life does go on and I still believe it's best not to take ourselves or this life too seriously. So, please take the time to just kick back, relax, take a deep cleansing breath and always remember to LIVE, LOVE, and LAUGH!!!

Star with her new owner

2006-12-30T15:42:00.000-06:00

On December 10, 2006 I sold my two year old filly to a family in WI. In this photo Star, the two year old filly is being used for a riding lesson by a 9 year old family member of Star's new owners. Not many two year old's are calm and gentle enough to be trusted with a youngster just learning to ride! Star was always an exception, she was almost too easy to "break" or gentle as some trainers now like to refer to that initial stage of training. I guess I would have to say that she is the perfect example of the best of imprint trained horses. Congratulations to Star's new owners in WI!

Selva Cox/Opal Nokomis Smith - My Cherokee Grandmother

2006-12-28T20:55:00.000-06:00

Raised as Opal Nokomis Smith, my Grandmother came into the household of Milo and Ida Mae Smith, a childless white couple, as Selva Cox. Opal/Selva was born in Makanda, IL in 1910 and her true parentage remains a mystery to this day. She was always told that her father was Cherokee and her mother was "Indian with a little French". Who was she really? This is an ongoing search that I have been working on for many years. It was always very important to my Grandmother that I, her only granddaughter, learn all I could about my Cherokee heritage. In my case that is truly a double edged sword! I'm still looking for a starting point...

2006-12-28T14:20:00.000-06:00

Good food, good people, time to recover!

2006-12-28T09:15:00.000-06:00

Yet another Christmas and another year have passed. Where does the time go? I recall my Grandmother saying such things when I was a child, back when time seemed to drag on forever. Now each day flies by and I never seem to have enough time to accomplish everything I want and need to do. On a daily basis I have to remind myself to take a deep breath and thank God for the time I have. Life is such a blessing, even on the worst of days.

On Tuesday morning, the day after Christmas, I went to the barn bright and early to feed my horses then turn them out for the day. After giving them their grain and hay I walked outside the barn to look for the kitten. Thank goodness I looked to the west side of the pasture! With all the rain, and constant breezes, a large top heavy tree had fallen. Now of course this tree couldn't have just fallen AWAY from the fence, not even just across the fence, it had to fall ALONG the fence and take two smaller trees with it. My corner posts are all leaning at a sickening angle and the wire snapped at the first tree. The hole from which the first tree uprooted is filled to the top with water! I had no choice but to leave my girls in the barn until I could work out a plan.

I returned to the house and called my dear friend and riding buddy, Chester. My husband is currently working an hour (+) from home and with shortened daylight I knew it would be too dark for him to help with anything when he returned home.
Chester said he would come over in the afternoon to look things over, to see if we could patch the fence or if necessary move the horses back to his farm. So I left my two increasingly restless horses in their stalls and went to town for a couple of hours. Chester came over about 2:45 p.m. to check the situation out. After looking at the fence, broken wire, leaning corner posts, extreme wet and muddy ground and a big tree laying just about right for two horses to walk right over it and out into the road, we decided to move the girls to his place.

Actually I believe both horses are quite happy with the situation now. They have other horses (old friends and some relatives) to run and play with. Chester also has a lot more pasture than I do and the girls are also enjoying the larger area in which to roam. When I looked at the BIG PICTURE from the fence line now laying on th ground, I realized just how fortunate I was in so many ways. 1. My horses didn't get hit by the falling trees 2. Nothing fell on my new barn 3. The horses didn't get out the afternoon before as I now know the tree was down as early as 3:00 p.m. Christmas Day 4. I have a wonderful friend with the pasture and barn space to accomodate my two horses! See, I am blessed!

And with that I am prompted to once again say we should always remember to LIVE, LOVE & LAUGH!!!

Merry Christmas from Southern Illinois!

2006-12-25T19:14:00.000-06:00

The weather has been lousy but the day was wonderful. Family, especially the grandkids, made me laugh, cry and wore me out! Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberries (fresh, of course) green beans, salad, veggies and dip, hot rolls and of course lots of dessert. I think I've gained another 5 pounds just thinking about all that food!

Such happy times, at least for our family. But what about all those families with loved ones in the Middle East? My heart goes out to all of them. My husband served in Viet Nam and even though I didn't really know him at that time, I have to wonder what is it was like for him to be away from home in a strange land where he was not wanted? How did his parents handle having their son so far away in such a dangerous situation? I have heard their "remembered stories", but at the moment they were living through it all, how painful it must have been.

So I have to say that having my family here, with me in Southern Illinois is a true blessing. I have so many blessings in my life, and I am grateful.

Because I chose Christmeas evening to begin my blog I'm going to wait for another day to get too serious about my posts.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. Remember to always, Live, Love & Laugh!!!